Quote (Voyaging @ Jun 10 2013 11:47pm)

I think the idea is that most atheists rely on science as a prescriptive worldview rather than merely as a methodology.

A non-religious life seems devoid of any objective meaning, and the pursuit of empirical knowledge for many is a replacement for the purpose that only the religious have. It is a way to avoid the existential angst that comes with a lack of belief in God.

Most atheists go a step further: they believe in naturalism (almost universally). Naturalism is a philosophy not based in any external evidence, yet nearly all atheists follow its tenets. This I think is a better way to consider the concept of "faith in science", as it is actually "faith in naturalism".

Quote (brmv @ Jun 11 2013 02:29am)

another speculation, you haven't heard of secular humanism? or nihilism?
there are a few philosophical worldviews open to atheists and agnostics
just because you have some sort of 'faith' does not mean that others need to rely on a substitute
talking here about genuine atheists and agnostics who have reflected on the issue
and not the little kids who run around and claim to be atheists

Quote (Voyaging @ 11 Jun 2013 10:59)

Very few people are nihilists, but it is indeed a possibility.
Secular humanism is even closer to the concept of "faith" than naturalism and is completely without empirical basis. Again, most atheists tend to be secular humanists (even though it is completely outside the bounds of their epistemology).

Quote (brmv @ Jun 11 2013 08:00am)

:wallbash: 

actually i forgot one comment to your

It is a way to avoid the existential angst that comes with a lack of belief in God

religion (especially the institutionalised) is the creator of existential angst
just because you experience it does not mean it applies to those who do not hold a belief
your comments make me really wonder what they are teaching in this regard in the usa

Quote (brmv @ Jun 11 2013 08:00am)

:wallbash: 

actually i forgot one comment to your

It is a way to avoid the existential angst that comes with a lack of belief in God

religion (especially the institutionalised) is the creator of existential angst
just because you experience it does not mean it applies to those who do not hold a belief
your comments make me really wonder what they are teaching in this regard in the usa

Quote (Voyaging @ 11 Jun 2013 12:24)

Maybe absurdism is a better term to use than angst. Either way, existentialism was largely propagated by atheists so I'm not sure where you get the idea that the concept comes from religion from.
They rarely teach existentialism in the US because it earns very little respect among professional philosophers.
Why is it so funny that there is a discord with the atheists who rely on empiricism as the SOLE method through which knowledge is gained, yet follow secular humanism which holds beliefs that are gained without any empirical evidence?

Quote (brmv @ Jun 11 2013 02:00pm)

:wallbash: 

actually i forgot one comment to your

It is a way to avoid the existential angst that comes with a lack of belief in God

religion (especially the institutionalised) is the creator of existential angst
just because you experience it does not mean it applies to those who do not hold a belief
your comments make me really wonder what they are teaching in this regard in the usa

Quote (Voyaging @ Jun 11 2013 05:16pm)

It's not taken seriously by European professional philosophers either, only those on the fringe.

Quote (brmv @ Jun 11 2013 09:09am)

in case you are not aware of it: very few american philosophers are respected in europe and those who are are/were mainly immigrants from europe

Quote (Voyaging @ Jun 11 2013 09:16am)

It's not taken seriously by European professional philosophers either, only those on the fringe.

Many American philosophers are respected in Europe.

Quote (killgoreisleet @ Jun 11 2013 11:24am)

There are not many philosophers anywhere that even carry their own weight, the only contemporary one I can think of is Žižek.